With all the negative news in the media, and there is a lot of it – it is easy to become despondent, hopeless, fearful, angry, frustrated… the list could go on. One episode of Carte Blanche and you are guaranteed to see something to add to the gloom feeling a Sunday night can bring.
#ImStaying Facebook Group
While flipping through Facebook a few weeks ago, an old colleague had invited me to the #I’m Staying group. I was curious. I am sure all members have at some point in the lives been tempted or have seriously considered immigrating. We all have friends or family that have taken the leap and packed their bags for greener pastures.
Positive change
I was pleasantly surprised at the positive stories people were sharing. Some real lump in the throat moments that make one feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And there it was, the ember of hope in my heart, that South African people, can change this country! I believe that the Cape Town real estate entrepreneur Jarette Petzer hoped it would achieve. It now has 416,627 members and counting.
Politicians and the media love bad news. It sells, and we certainly give them enough to keep them going. The page is fostering compassion and connections between South Africans from all backgrounds. But as in life, there are always people who disagree. Instead of seeing the positive aspects, they only see the negative, claiming the group is extremely elitist, catering to a privileged white minority. I really hope that the camp of people feeling this way are the minority and that the group continues to grow – with members from all over our beautiful rainbow nation. The positive stories posted by members are being posted daily and in abundance by people of all ages, across all cultures who share a deep love for South Africa. For some, this group has been a life changer. Some have been truly despondent, and do not have any option but to #Stay!
Hope for the future
While people spend those few moments a day reading and seeing the good news it really does give one hope, and we can all do with some hope. Hope will overflow into our own lives, to the people we interact with daily – our colleagues, our children, our neighbours and friends. It has a huge spinoff effect. You never know how a random act of kindness, or a few kind words could impact someone’s life, it could change their life forever. And it is not only happening on SA soil, there are stories of South Africans all across the world! How amazing that it can reach all corners and impact the lives of those people around them too.
We can’t change what the politicians and negative people are doing to our country, but we sure can change our attitudes and focus on the good that there is around us. Try it, and see how it works for you, maybe you’ll be sharing your moment on #I’m Staying next!
“And as we let your own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same” – Nelson Mandela.
“It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it” – Nelson Mandela
“I believe that in the end that it is kindness and accommodation that are all the catalysts for real change” – Nelson Mandela
“Three things in Human Life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind” – Mother Teresa
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless” – Mother Teresa
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person” – Mother Teresa
